A frontiersman-turned-congressman from Tennessee, Crockett gained fame for his tall tales of pioneer life. On the campaign trail Crockett received various gifts from political supporters, including this silver hatchet from the Young Men of Philadelphia. Its inscription"Go Ahead Crockett"echoed Crockett's famous motto, "Be sure you're right, then go ahead." Crockett eventually abandoned politics and plunged back into the wilderness he loved, ending up in Texas. After he died defending the Alamo in 1836, popular legend immortalized him as a frontier superhero. His silver hatchet was among the historical relics transferred to the Smithsonian from the Patent Office in 1883.